You're Reading the Freelancing at Home Blog

Four Signs Your Freelance Business Is Ready For A Coach

Talk to most successful freelance business owners and you’ll find that, regardless of the type of work they do, they all have one thing in common.

At some point, they have all worked with a business coach.

Many of them will tell you that investing in that relationship was pivotal in moving their business forward.

Why is hiring a business coach so important to long-term growth as a freelancer?

I think the most important asset a coach brings to your business is objectivity. A good business coach is able to troubleshoot what’s holding you back, give you a plan for moving forward, and hold you accountable for applying your learning.

Are you ready to work with a business coach? Do any of these apply to you?

Take a look at these four signs that it’s time to hire a business coach:

1. A New Freelance Business

You are a brand-new freelancer and have no idea where to start.

I can think of no better way to get started as a freelancer than by partnering with a terrific business coach. I know I speak for numerous freelancers who would say they wished they had sought a coach sooner rather than later in building their businesses.

If you were opening a brick and mortar store, for example, you’d expect to pay thousands in start-up costs (storefront space, inventory, staff salaries, etc.). Consider coaching services as part of your start-up costs. It’s more than worth it to get started on the right foot, avoiding costly mistakes and learning lessons the hard way.

2. A Business That’s In The Red

Negative account balances, piles of debt, or stagnant cash flow indicate trouble for most freelancers. You got into this to make money, right?

A business coach can help you with all facets of business that may be affecting your bottom line: setting fees, finding high-paying and returning clients, budgeting, time management, organization, and productivity skills. A good business coach will help you discover and address what’s keeping you from profitability.

3. An Overwhelmed Freelancer

Your computer’s hard drive is full of eBooks and courses you’ve downloaded. Your schedule stays full with appointments for webinars on every topic that may possibly apply to your business. You’ve got multi-tasking down pat as you consume podcasts while you work out, cook dinner, and mow the lawn.

Enough! You’re on information overload, and how much of it is actually sinking in?

More importantly, how much of it are you actually using to grow your business?

Self-study courses, eBooks, webinars, and podcasts all have their places and can be beneficial to the freelancer. But if you are overwhelmed to the state of paralysis, what’s the point?

Working with a business coach (choose one of the creators of the training products with which you are already familiar) either one-on-one or in a small group setting is a much better solution. A coach-mentor relationship means the information is always applicable because it’s targeted to your specific needs and desired outcomes. And knowing your coach will follow-up means you’re more likely to implement what you learn.

4. A Freelance Business That’s Ready For A Change

Maybe you don’t know exactly what’s wrong with your business, but you feel that something’s out of whack. Working your business lately has become a chore and you’d like a greater sense of accomplishment in your work. It’s time for a change. But what kind and how?

A business coach can help to identify the one or two things that are holding you back. He or she can help you shift your focus, find a new audience, fine-tune your skills, or direct you in a rebrand. For veteran freelancers who are “stuck,” working with a business coach is the swift kick in the pants they often need to re-energize their business.

Personally speaking, investing in some coaching has brought great clarity to all facets of my freelance business: from the mechanics of work to the nuances of vision-casting (and all stops in between). I feel confident in saying that all freelancers can benefit from working with a business coach.

Have you worked with a business coach? What was your experience like and would you recommend it to others?

Comments

Great tips! Where is the best place to find a business coach? Is it important to find someone that has experience with people in your particular niche?Jenn L recently posted..Paleo Challenge Final Push! Vlog

As a coach myself, I’m obviously biased about how beneficial a good coaching relationship can be, but having worked with a business coach, I can say that my clarity, confidence and commitment shot to a whole new level. The accountability factor, and having someone to share with who had been there, made a huge difference for me. I realized I had so much more to offer, and that was awesome.

This is a great list of reasons why someone should use a coach. Many people feel like they can do things on their own, but business coaches actually help someone save a lot of time and money in the long run.

Thanks for these great tips. I am just starting out on the road as an eBay and Amazon coach and find these tips very useful so that I can offer my clients what they need. well doneAndrew Milburn recently posted..90 Days And Counting Are You Ready?

Great Post, I started working with someone to coach me this year and I am wondering what took me so long. I can already see the potential for my business to grow. I really wish I had gotten a coach back when I was ghostwriting – it would have made my life so much easier and cut a lot out of the learning curve.Rachel Young recently posted..Starting a Business While Working Full Time – By Michelle Waters

Hi, Jenn. I think word of mouth and referrals are the best ways to find a business coach. Where do you get your business tips info now? More than likely those bloggers or product creators do coaching themselves or could recommend someone who does.

I don’t think niche experience is mandatory, but it may certainly offer an added benefit. Regardless, I think you should choose someone who can help with the aspect of business that you most want to focus on.Mary Bernard recently posted..Four Signs Your Freelance Business Is Ready For A Coach